Marion Independent School
District
Acceptable Use of Computers and Networks Plan
Revised 4/30/08
Marion Independent School District
Acceptable Use of Computers and Networks Guidelines (AUG)
PARENT LETTER FOR COMPUTER NETWORK USERS
Dear Parents:
Your child has the opportunity to use Marion Independent School
District's computer network system. He or she needs your permission to
do so. Your child will be able to communicate with other schools,
colleges, organizations, and individuals around the world through
Internet and other electronic information systems/networks.
The Internet is a network of networks. Through the District's computer
network, your child will have access to hundreds of databases,
libraries, and computer services all over the world.
With this educational opportunity also comes responsibility. It is
important that you and your child read the Acceptable Use of Computers
and Networks Guidelines and discuss these requirements together.
Inappropriate system use may result in the loss of the privilege to use
this educational tool. A copy of the District's Acceptable Use of
Computers and Networks Guidelines is located in this handbook. You and
your child must return the signed Student Code of Conduct form
indicating that you have read and understood the District's Acceptable
Use and Internet Safety Guidelines.
Please note that the Internet is an association of diverse
communication and information networks. Though all training in the use
of the District's telecommunications network will emphasize the ethical
use of this resource, it is possible that your child may run across
areas of adult content and some material you might find objectionable.
The District takes reasonable steps to preclude access to objectionable
sites through electronic filtering and classroom management; however,
it may not be possible in some cases.
After you have read and signed the agreement form, Marion ISD will
expect that you are in full agreement with these guidelines and wish
your child to have use of the Internet for educational purposes. If you
do not want your student to have access to the Internet you must notify
the principal in writing.
Please remember that your child may have his work or picture published
on our district web site. By signing the campus record of receipt
you understand that this and other directory information may be
published. Together, we can communicate that with
technology opportunities comes responsibility.
Sincerely
Principal or Technology Coordinator
MARION ISD
ACCEPTABLE USE OF COMPUTERS AND
NETWORKS GUIDELINES (AUG)
All provisions of the Acceptable Use of Computers and Networks
Guidelines apply to use of all District facilities and equipment.
Use of Computers and Networks:
The following guidelines regarding the acceptable use of computers and
networks shall apply to all District employees, volunteers, and
students, and to all patrons of the Marion ISD Community Library. All
technology equipment shall be used under the supervision of the site
administrator.
1. Users shall not erase, rename, or make unusable anyone else's
computer files, programs, or disks.
2. Users shall not let other persons (other than authorized staff
members) use their name, log-on, password, or files for any reason.
3. Users shall not use or try to discover another user's password.
4. Users will have access to District computers and networks primarily
for academic and administrative purposes. Limited personal use is
permitted if the use:
a. Use does not violate the Acceptable Use Guidelines
b. Imposes no tangible cost to the District
c. Does not burden the District computer or network resources.
This includes streaming video, bypassing content filter and/or firewall
via proxy services, online non-instructional games, downloading
software, and social networking sites.
d. Has no adverse effect on an employee's
performance or on a student's
academic performance.
e. Does not include activities for personal
profit.
5. Users shall not use a computer for unlawful purposes, such as the
illegal copying or installation of software.
6. Users must comply with all copyright laws.
7. Users shall not copy, change, or transfer any software or
documentation without written permission from the Campus/District
Technology Coordinator.
8. Users shall not write, produce, generate, copy, propagate, or
attempt to introduce any computer code destined to self-replicate,
damage, or otherwise hinder the performance of any computer's memory,
file system, or software. Such software is often called a bug,
virus, worm, Trojan horse, or similar name.
9. Users shall not deliberately use the computer to annoy or harass
others with language, images, or threats. Users shall not deliberately
access or attempt to access, create, or transmit any obscene or
objectionable information, language, or images, including swearing,
vulgarity, and ethnic or racial slurs. Users shall not deliberately
access or attempt to access inappropriate web pages or sites.
10. Users shall not intentionally damage the system, damage information
belonging to others, misuse system resources, or allow others to misuse
system resources.
11. Users shall not alter or tamper with computers, networks, printers,
or other associated equipment except as directed by the teacher or
Campus/District Technology Coordinator.
12. Users shall not take home technology equipment (hardware)
without written permission of the Campus or District Technology
Coordinator. Users will not take software home.
13. Users may use personally owned equipment for academic use in
compliance with District policy and guidelines. Marion ISD is not in
any way responsible for personal equipment.
Student Responsibility for Using the Internet:
Due to the nature of materials that are available through the Internet,
students will be expected to adhere at all times to the following rules.
1. No student may access the Internet without the permission of the
teacher, librarian, or other supervisor.
2. Students will be given a password by the Campus Technology
Coordinator for an individual account with access to the District's
network. Passwords are not to be shared for any reason.
3. If students inadvertently access obscene, pornographic,
objectionable, or otherwise inappropriate materials, they are to
immediately notify the classroom teacher or the room monitor.
4. Students may use e-mail through the Marion ISD computer
network for educational purposes, only under direct supervision of a
teacher.
Vandalism Prohibited:
Any malicious attempt to harm or destroy District equipment or
materials, data of another user of the District's system, or any of the
agencies or other networks that are connected to the Internet is
prohibited. Deliberate attempts to degrade or disrupt system
performance will be viewed as violation of District policy and
administrative regulations and, possibly, as criminal activity under
applicable state and federal laws. This includes, but is not limited
to, the uploading or creating of computer viruses.
Vandalism as defined above will result in the cancellation of system
use privileges and will require restitution for costs associated with
system restoration, hardware, or software.
Internet Safety:
As provided for in the Children's Internet Protection Act of 2000
Marion ISD has filtering devices and software to preclude access to
objectionable sites as defined by the federal Children's Internet
Protection Act through electronic filtering and classroom management,
however, it may not be possible in some cases. For more information
visit: http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/cipa.html.
Privacy:
Network and Internet access is provided as a tool for education.
The District reserves the right to monitor, inspect, copy, review and
store at any time and without prior notice any and all usage of the
computer network and Internet access and any and all information
transmitted or received in connection with such usage. All such
information files shall be and remain the property of the District and
no user should have any expectation of privacy regarding such materials.
Failure to Follow Policy:
The use of the Marion ISD computer network system and Internet
connection is a privilege, not a right, and may be revoked. A user who
commits acts of misconduct may be subject to any or all disciplinary
actions depending on the severity as determined by the building
principal. In addition, violation of state and/or other
applicable federal laws is subject to criminal prosecution.
Warranties:
The District makes no warranties of any kind, either expressed or
implied, in connection with its provision of access to and use of its
computer networks and the Internet provided in this plan. It shall not
be responsible for any claims, losses, damages, or costs (including
attorney's fees) of any kind suffered, directly or indirectly, by any
user or his or her parent(s) arising out of the user's use of the
computer network or Internet. The user or, if the user is a minor, the
user's parents agree to cooperate with the District in the event of the
initiation of an investigation.
Students under the age of 18 must have the signature of a parent or
guardian who has read this document.
MARION ISD WEB PAGE GUIDELINES
The Marion ISD web site is established to provide a learning experience
for staff and students, and an opportunity to communicate the learning
activities of the Marion ISD schools and educational services.
The Superintendent or designee will appoint a district webmaster,
responsible for the official district web site and monitoring of all
district web activity. Content guidelines for the official
district and campus web materials, as well as procedures for the
placement and removal of such materials will be developed by the MISD
Technology Committee. The content of the district web sites must
support and promote the mission of Marion ISD.
Staff and students who design pages for the district / campus web site
are expected to abide by these procedures in addition to the District's
Acceptable Use of Computers and Network Guidelines (AUG) and copyright
laws of the United States. Files hosted on the Marion ISD web
servers and hyperlinks from these files should not contain information
that is in violation of (or promotes the violation of) any district
policy or regulation nor any local, state, or federal regulation or
law.
Marion ISD is not responsible for contents on external sites or servers.
INSTRUCTION and PROCEDURE:
The Marion ISD schools will establish district and campus web sites
hosted on district web servers. These procedures provide
direction and establish criteria for web site development, maintenance,
and supervision.
A. DISTRICT WEB SITE
1. The district will establish a web
site. Material appropriate for placement on the web site shall
include: district information, campus information, teacher or
class information, approved student projects, extracurricular
organization information and Marion ISD Education Services
activities. Personal, non-educational information will not be
allowed on the web site.
2. The Superintendent or designee will appoint
a district webmaster, responsible for maintaining the official district
web site and monitoring all district web activity. The district
technology committee will develop style and content guidelines for
official district and campus web materials, and develop procedures for
the placement and removal of such materials.
3. Content of the district web site must
support and promote the mission of Marion ISD. The district and
campus webmasters will be responsible for monitoring all web pages on
the district and campus web sites. Inappropriate and questionable
content will be deleted. Request for reinstatement of materials
on the web site will initially be made to the campus webmaster.
Challenges to the web site content by district staff, parents, or
community members will be processed based on Board policy. (EFA)
B. CAMPUS WEB SITES
1. The campus principal will appoint and
supervise a campus webmaster who is responsible for managing the campus
web site and monitoring class, teachers, and extracurricular web
pages. All official school material will be consistent with the
district style and content guidelines and pre-approved by the campus
webmaster. Content of campus web sites must support and promote
the mission of Marion ISD. The campus webmaster and principal may
develop guidelines unique to their school's mission with assistance
from the Campus Technology Committee.
2. When a parent or non-certified staff member
prepares material for a web site, a campus web master must oversee the
content and operation.
3. Campus sites will include a directory of
staff members and their e-mail addresses.
4. This disclaimer must be present on all
campus main navigation pages: Marion ISD is not responsible
for contents on external sites or servers.
C. TEACHER WEB PAGES
Teachers will establish web pages that support curriculum and
instruction related activities and provide a resource for other
teachers. Teachers will be responsible for maintaining the
content of their classroom and/or educational resource sites.
Teacher web pages will not be considered official material, but will be
developed in such a manner as to support and promote the mission of
Marion ISD. Guidelines for development of web pages will be
followed. Student web pages resulting from class projects will be
posted on the respective teacher's web page. Each campus
webmaster will oversee teacher designed web pages. Teachers are
required to report all significant changes to their web site to the
campus web master.
1. Students may create a limited number of web pages
as part of a class activity with teacher supervision. Material
presented on a student designed web page must meet the educational
objectives of the class activity.
2. Removal of material that fails to meet
established educational objectives, the district Web Page Guidelines or
that is in violation of a provision of the Acceptable Use Guidelines or
District Student Code of Conduct will not be considered a violation of
a student's right to free speech.
3. Student web pages for class projects must
include the following notice: This is a student web page.
Opinions expressed on this page shall not be attributed to Marion ISD
or [campus name].
4. The classroom teacher and campus webmaster must
approve the content of class project web pages. Student web pages
will be removed periodically. At no time will students directly
post files.
5. All links to external sites (those outside MISD)
must be evaluated thoroughly for appropriateness. This disclaimer
must be present on all teacher main navigation pages:
Marion ISD is not responsible for contents on external sites or
servers.
D. SUPPORT SERVICES WEB PAGES
Support services staff may work with the district webmaster to develop
web pages that provide a resource for educational or professional
use. Staff will be responsible for maintaining their resource
sites. Support services pages will not be considered official
documents, but will be developed in a manner, which is consistent with,
and supports district guidelines.
E.
EXTRACURRICULAR ORGANIZATION WEB PAGES
1. With the approval of the campus principal School
Board sanctioned extracurricular organizations may establish web pages
that must follow all district AUG and Web Page Guidelines.
Material presented on these web pages must relate specifically to
organization activities. The campus webmaster will oversee the
content of these web pages.
2. Sanctioned organization web pages must include
the following notice: This is an extracurricular organization web
page. Opinions expressed on this page will not be attributed to
Marion ISD or [school name].
3. An official representative from each
extracurricular organization posting to Marion ISD web servers must
sign a Web Page Guidelines agreement form.
F. WEB PAGE REQUIREMENTS
1. District Acceptable Use of Computers and
Network Guidelines, Web Page Guidelines, and School Board policies
govern materials placed on the Marion ISD web page(s).
2. Web pages will be designed using guidelines
established by the District's Technology Committee. The
guidelines are part of this plan.
3. Web pages shall NOT contain addresses,
phone numbers, or other personal identifying information of ANY
students. Last names of Pre-Kindergarten through fifth grade
students will NOT be used.
4. Procedure for the display of original
student work, photographs or videos of any identifiable student or
staff member on the district's web site shall be consistent with Board
policy and release of directory information as specified in student
handbooks or with written consent by parents.
5. The web page shall not contain copyrighted
or trademarked material belonging to others unless written permission
to display such material has been obtained from the owner. There
will be no assumption that the publication of copyrighted material on a
web site is within the fair use exemption. Unauthorized use of
copyrighted material is prohibited. Individuals must maintain a
file of written copyright permissions.
6. Material placed on the web site is expected
to meet academic standards of proper spelling, grammar, and accuracy of
information.
7. Students may retain the right to the
material they create that is posted on the web. The copyright on
materials created by staff using district equipment and/or district
time is property of Marion ISD.
8. Pages that contain time-sensitive
information such as calendars and school events must be updated
regularly to insure current, accurate information and viable links.
9. All web pages will have a link to
return users to the appropriate home page (campus and / or district
home page).
10. All links to external sites (those not in
MISD) should be thoroughly researched for appropriateness.
11. Individuals posting to the Marion ISD web site
will be responsible for creating their own backup copies.
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This section to be completed by any individual contributing material to
the Marion ISD web servers that has not signed the Marion ISD
Acceptable Use of Computers and Network Guidelines.
I have read, understood, and agree to abide by all standards and
guidelines set forth in the Marion ISD Web Page Guidelines.
_________________________________
_________________________________
Printed
Name
Organization Represented (if applicable)
_________________________________
_________________________________
Date
Signed
Signature
MARION ISD EMPLOYEE ACCEPTABLE USE OF THE
ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM
GUIDELINES
District e-mail:
District e-mail is provided to employees for education purposes. Users
are held just as accountable for their actions in situations involving
e-mail as they are in dealing with other District Resources.
Users are expected to abide by the security restrictions of all systems
and information to which they have access.
Privacy:
Electronic mail transmissions and other uses of the electronic
communications system by employees are not private and may be monitored
at any time by designated District staff to ensure appropriate use.
Users should be aware of potential mail security problems before
transmitting private or confidential messages. Electronic mail is not
private communication. E-mail correspondence may be regarded as a
postcard rather than as a sealed letter. All information
transmitted via the District's Internet / e-mail system is the property
of the District and can be reviewed at any time. Disclosure may
occur intentionally or inadvertently when an unauthorized user gains
access to electronic messages. Disclosure may also occur when
e-mail messages are forwarded to unauthorized users, directed to the
wrong recipient, or printed in a common area where others can read them.
E-mail and other electronic files may be accessed through the discovery
process in the event of litigation. Files/e-mail may be
subpoenaed through judicial channels.
Security:
Log in and passwords will be protected from unauthorized use at all
times. Users will not post usernames and passwords where others
can view them.
Users must log off whenever leaving a computer to protect against
unauthorized use. When a user is logged in, anyone has the
opportunity to send e-mail or access an unauthorized site under that
account name.
Users will not send confidential information about students or staff
via e-mail or other electronic files, except for District employees
specifically authorized to transmit this information.
Records Management:
Records transmitted using e-mail or other electronic means will be
identified, managed, protected, and retained as long as they are needed
to meet historical, administrative, fiscal, or legal
requirements. Records needed to support program functions must be
retained, managed, and made accessible in record keeping or filing
systems in accordance with established records disposition
authorizations approved by the Public Records Commission.
Communication:
Staff members should set aside time at least once a day to check and
respond to e-mail messages. E-mail does not have to be answered
immediately; simply allow enough time so that the 24-hour turnaround
time can be met in most instances.
Users will avoid any communication where the meaning of a message, or
its transmission or distribution, would be illegal, unethical, or
irresponsible.
Users granted access to electronic mail service should use that access
in a way consistent with their job function, even after hours.
Compliance:
Employees must have training in e-mail use and have signed the Employee
Agreement for Acceptable Use Guidelines, Electronic Procedures, and Web
Page Guidelines before initial login.
Employees shall comply with the standards of conduct set in these
guidelines and with other policies, regulations, and procedures that
impose duties, requirements, or standard attendant to their status as
District employees. Violation of any plan (Acceptable Use of
Computers and Networks Guidelines, Electronic Communications System
Guidelines and Web Page Guidelines), regulation or guideline may result
in disciplinary action, including termination of employment. (Board
Policy CQ and DH series)
Appropriate Uses for Network System:
This Marion ISD account is to be used for educational purposes, but
some limited personal use is permitted. You will be held
responsible at all times for the proper use of your account. Remember
that people who receive e-mail from you with a school address may think
your message represents the school's point of view.
Inappropriate Uses:
As an employee of the Marion Independent School District, I hereby
confirm that I have read and that I understand the Acceptable Use of
Computers and Networks Guidelines.
I understand that I am responsible for my actions in using computers
and in accessing the Internet and that the computer network is a
privilege, not a right, which may be revoked at any time.
Marion ISD Employee Agreement for:
ACCEPTABLE USE OF COMPUTERS AND
NETWORKS GUIDELINES (AUG)
WEB PAGE GUIDELINES
ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM
GUIDELINES
Consequences for Inappropriate Use:
Suspension of access privileges to the system;
Revocation of the computer system account; or
Disciplinary or legal action, in accordance with District policies and
applicable laws.
I understand my computer use is not private and the District will
monitor my activity on the computer system.
I understand the meaning of appropriate student use as specified in the
District Acceptable Use of Computers and Network Guidelines.
I understand that it is my responsibility to monitor and enforce ALL
District Acceptable Use Guidelines.
I have read the District's electronic communications system guidelines
and administrative regulations and agree to abide by their provisions.
In consideration for the privilege of using the District's electronic
communications system and having access to the public networks, I
hereby release the District, its operators, and any institutions with
which they are affiliated from any and all claims and damages of any
nature arising from my use of, or inability to use, the system,
including, without limitations, the type of damages identified in the
District's policies and administrative regulations.
My signature below indicates that I have read and will abide by the
procedures and guidelines stated in:
- the Marion ISD Acceptable Use of Computers and Network Guidelines
- the Marion ISD Acceptable Use of the Electronic Communication System
Guidelines
- the Marion ISD Web Page Guidelines
Employee's name (Print Clearly):
_________________________________________
Date:
_______________________________________________________________
Employee's Signature:
_________________________________________________